Career Portal

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A job interview is your chance to sell yourself, but you won’t have much time, so don’t waste it.

Interviews can be one on one or before a panel.  You may be interviewed at a crowdedj ob fair or even over the phone.  Whatever the situation, you can be sure that there will be plenty of other candidates for the job and many of them will have a resume that reads very much like yours does.

Don’t waste time by telling the interviewer something they already know.  Your resume will tell them about your employment history and you don’t need to repeat it for them.  What is important is to focus on the skills you learned from each of your jobs and why you think those skills are useful for the job you’re being interviewed for.

Here’s an example.  My daughter worked at our local pizza restaurant after school.  She took orders, answered the phone, waited on tables and served the best gelato in the suburb.  She enjoyed the work and was popular with the regular patrons, who tipped generously.  When she left to go overseas, her employer had no hesitation in giving her a wonderful reference. 

The owner of the restaurant has been in hospitality for many years and this is what she told me.  The skills you learn in hospitality are highly regarded by any employer.  You learn the obvious things, like being comfortable dealing with many different kinds of people and providing a high level of customer service.  But you also learn how to make decisions and think on your feet.  She said you’re being asked questions all the time, by people who want an answer on the spot - “Can I have that without cheese?”, “Can you get it to me in less than twenty minutes?”  You may not always make the right decision, but you learn to do it and deal with the consequences.

She also said that decision making is a skill that many people never learn.  I could relate to that!  In our house, the simplest purchase requires a cost benefit analysis, days of research and often involves a spreadsheet.  Trips to the supermarket involve much soul searching, “It’s on special - that’s good, and it’s organic - that’s good, but it’s imported - that’s bad.”

But to come back to your job interview. 

1. Never underestimate the value of your previous jobs.  You have learned something from every one of them.
2. Identify the skills you have learned, e.g. decision making, thinking on your feet.
3. Say why you think those skills are of use in the job you’re interviewing for.

Good luck and you can read more at http://careerportalonline.com

 

You might think that a gap year has nothing to do with your career plan.  After all, it’s just a well earned holiday after all those years of study and before you get caught on the treadmill of earning a living, isn’t it?

Wrong!  A gap year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have experiences that can set you apart from your peers in the future.  There will be many other job applicants who have the same academic qualifications as you, especially when you are on the bottom rung of the ladder.  A gap year can be your point of difference.

How you present your gap year to a prospective employer is important.  You may have had the party of your life, increased your capacity for alcohol and reduced your requirement for sleep beyond your wildest expectations - those are not the achievements to focus on.

Focus on what you learned about yourself.  For example, if you spent time working as a waiter to finance your travel, you may have discovered new skills in getting along with people, keeping your cool under pressure and multi-tasking.  If you volunteered your time on any project, you may have learned that you are compassionate.

Life skills are highly valued by prospective employers.  Make the most of any chance you get to develop them, and yes a gap year can most definitely be part of your career plan. 

It is estimated that up to 75 per cent of jobs are never advertised.

However, there are ways you can access this hidden world of job opportunities.

Being in the right place at the right time is often crucial and by using word of mouth, cold calling or sending in unsolicited job applications you have a chance to tap into the opportunities.

Here are a couple of techniques you can use to find these hidden job opportunities.

First do your homework
Research the company before you make the call. Size, turnover, profitability? What markets does it operate in and what are its strongest products. Where is it weak?

Be clear in your own mind what can you bring to the company. How can  your skills add value to their business?

Cold calling
There may be companies you’ve read about and thought, “I’d like to work there”, or it may be a company that you’ve heard people recommend, but the catch is you never see them advertising vacancies.

So one solution is it’s time use the phone to scout for a job. If you don’t have sales experience, this approach takes guts, but just take a deep breath and go for it.

Remember your main objective is toget an interview. Th ebackup objective is to get an agreement to receive and review your resume.

 Networking
This is a more targeted and easier method of job hunting.

Start by asking your friends and contacts if they know of any vacancies at their company or at friends’ companies.

If they do, ask them who the key decision makers in the hiring process are. You may be able to make contact with this person i.e. at a higher level than if you apply for a job advertised through normal channels.

We’ll go into more detail on these techniques in a later post.

 

Here are some useful interview tips to help you prepare for your next job interview.

#1 Plan and Practice

(a) Learn as much as possible about the company because it will help you to be informed and to feel confident and relaxed. Doing this can make your interview more interactive.

(b) Practice answering typical interview questions by writing them out and then reading them aloud, so you’ll be prepared and comfortable during the actual interview.

(c) Make sure you know where you’re going and give yourself plenty of time so you can arrive ahead of schedule. Make a test trip beforehand if you’re not sure about transport, timing, directions etc.

#2 Highlight Why They Should Employ You

(a) Make it clear how your skills relate to the position you have applied for, by emphasizing your relevant achievements in other (similar if possible) positions.

Also, make sure you highlight the ways in which you think you can benefit their organization.

(b) Emphasize aspects of the work that particularly appeal to you, why and what value you can add (ideas, experience).

(c) Emphasize your transferable skills relevant to the position e.g. the ability to manage a project in a timely manner, your ability to work independently etc.

#3 Good Dress Sense Counts

(a) Plan on what you are going to wear ahead of time.

(b) Remember: The first impression you make on a potential employer is always the most important one.

Like it or not, the first judgement an interviewer will make about you is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing.

(c) Moral: Always dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual. Because you want that first impression to be good.

(d) Dress in a suit and tie (men) or a suit and matching blouse (women). Choose solid conservative colors e.g. navy, black or dark grey.

There are key steps to follow to successfully change career.

Here is our list of the top 5 Dos and Donts to follow to achieve success in changing careers and with your career change.

The Dos

1. Have a clear plan for making your career change and don’t rush into a change until you have thought it through and developed a strategy.
2. Be flexible because basically you’re starting a new career, and this means you may have to make concessions about job titles, salary, relocation, etc.
3. Expect to put in a great deal of time and effort in making the switch from one career to another, but don’t allow yourself to get discouraged at the pace or your progress…changing careers takes time.
4. Take the time to review your skills and the activities that you like and dislike, with more focus on your likes. And do focus on new careers that center around your likes and passions. 
5. Take advantage of all your networking opportunities, including using your current network of contacts, researching employers and joining professional organizations in your new career field. Invest time in networking.

The Donts

1. Stay calm and just follow your plan step by step. Don’t worry if you feel a bit insecure or unsure with making a career change; these feelings are normal.
2. Don’t rush into a new career field just because you are dissatisfied or disillusioned with your current job, boss, company, or career field.
3. Think outside the square and don’t limit yourself to similar careers or jobs when making a career change. Consider careers that take advantage of both your skills and your interests.
4. Don’t go it alone. Find yourself a mentor, because changing careers is challenging, and you’ll benefit from someone who can help motivate you and keep you focused on your goal when you get discouraged.
5. Don’t forget to read the 5 Career Change Dos above! 

The USA Jobs website is a great resource for finding government jobs.

Refer http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

They have a section called jobs in demand which lists available jobs in government.

Here is a sample of the jobs on offer in jan 2007.

1/17/2007 MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Naval Ambulatory Care Center , Port Hueneme . Applications must be received by the closing date of January 17, 2007. Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: SW6-0645-06-PK480318R-DE
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0645-06
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 12/13/2006
Salary: From 35,425.00 to 46,052.00 USD per year

Navy, Naval Medical Command US-CA-Port Hueneme 35,425.00+

1/19/2007 HOUSEKEEPING AID
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING AMENDED TO EXTEND THE CLOSING DATE FROM JANUARY 05, 2007, TO JANUARY 19, 2007. BRANCH MEDICAL CLINIC, BRIDGEPORT, CA. Applications received prior to the opening date will …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: SW6-3566-02-P5290846R3-DE
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: WG-3566-02
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 11/22/2006
Salary: From 29,281.00 to 34,164.00 USD per year

Navy, Naval Medical Command US-CA-Mono County 29,281.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Bioctechnology and Organic Chemistry)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-061A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Biotechnology/Organic Chemistry)
Applicants may not reapply for this position within six months unless there is material change in educational or experience obtainment. AMENDMENT: THE GRADE LEVELS ARE AMENDED FORM GS-07/09/11 TO …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-001A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-07/09
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 47,610.00 to 72,172.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 47,610.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering/Material Science)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules, and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-062A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Electrical & Computer Engineering)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-064A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-063A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner- Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules, and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-007A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-05/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 38,435.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 38,435.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Mechanical Engineering/Transportation, & Electronic Commerce)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-066A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Mechanical Engineering/Manufacturing Products & Designa
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-067A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner - Mechanical Engineering/Transportation, and Electronic Commerce
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules, and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-003A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-05/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 38,435.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 38,435.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner (Semi Conductor, Electrical Optical Systems & Components)
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-065A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 63,885.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 63,885.00+

1/31/2007 Patent Examiner- Semi Conductor, Electrical Optical Systems and Components
Reviewing patent applications to assess if they comply with the basic format, rules, and legal requirements, determining the scope of the protection claimed by the inventor, researching relevant …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: PTO-06-006A
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-1224-05/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 3/14/2006
Salary: From 38,435.00 to 113,151.00 USD per year

Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office US-VA-Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church 38,435.00+

3/21/2007 PHARMACIST
NAVY MEDICINE. World Class Care….Anytime, Anywhere. The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery is filling many civilian Pharmacist vacancies in multiple locations nationwide. Positions require …[more]

Vacancy Ann.#: NE-DH-MCP-05-0093-NR
Who May Apply: Public
Pay Plan: GS-0660-11/13
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Shift Work
Opening Date: 9/1/2006
Salary: From 51,972.00 to 96,292.00 USD per year

Navy, Naval Medical Command US-CT-Groton 51,972.00+

Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If you are like most people you have. Did you know that 80% of people are currently misemployed? They are either underemployed, not happy with their current position or not fairly compensated for their skill and/or function set. If so many people are misemployed, why do they stay in their current situation? Why do they not take the necessary steps to move into something that will be fulfilling and something they can look forward to doing every day - a situation they can truly be proud of?

The following are some of the most common reasons:

• Complacency
• Fear of the unknown
• Fear of change
• Not knowing what their options are
• Don�t want to give up the familiar, no matter how uncomfortable the familiar is
• Staying within their comfort zone
• No time to search for something new
• They just don�t know how to make a change
• Fear of failure
• Fear of success (they may actually get what they dreamed of)
• They fear the job search is more frustrating than their current unsatisfactory job
• Not knowing where to begin

How often have we heard others give these reasons Read the rest of this entry »

If you are thinking of relocating somewhere as part of a career change, here is a list of the top 10 places to work in 2006.

#1 Albuquerque, N.M.
Big Employers: University of New Mexico, Sandia National Labs, Kirtland Air Force Base, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Intel.

#2 Raleigh, N.C.
Major Employers: North Carolina State University, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, SAS Institute, Rex Healthcare, Tri-Arc Food Systems.

#3 Houston, Texas
Major Employers: Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Administaff, Continental Airlines, Halliburton.

#4 Boise, Idaho
Major Employers: Micron Technology, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Hewlett-Packard, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Albertsons.

#5 Knoxville, Tenn.
Major Employers: U.S. Department of Energy, University of Tennessee, Covenant Healthcare System, Wal-Mart Stores, St. Mary’s Medical Center.

#6 Phoenix, Ariz.
Major Employers: Wal-Mart Stores, Banner Health System, Honeywell, Intel, Arizona State University.

#7 Nashville, Tenn.
Major Employers: Vanderbilt University, Saint Thomas Health Services, HCA, Nissan Motor, Gaylord Entertainment.

#8 Durham, N.C.
Income Growth: 2.0%
Major Employers: Duke University, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Lenovo Group, Nortel Networks.

#9 Fayetteville, Ark.
Major Employers: Wal-Mart Stores, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, University of Arkansas, Tyson Foods, McKee Foods.

#10 Indianapolis, Ind.
Major Employers: Eli Lilly, Indiana University, Clarian Health, Marsh Supermarkets, FedEx.

Career planning
This is an essential step to work out where you have the chance of getting the best long term return for your time and efforts. This return includes of course pay and benefits, but also other opportunities such as education and training, chance of advancement, perhaps travel can be important too.

Career planning is one of those things you don’t learn about in school but what decisions you make with your career affect your future in more ways than one.

No matter what choices you may eventually make about your career, make sure you have it worked out before you step into any interviews.

Your interview is your prospective employer’s first impression of you. How you sell yourself career wise is how your employer will see you for the duration of your employment with him or her. Prepare wisely!

Here are a few tips:

1. Go with the current or tide.
i.e. is the industry you are thinking of entering in a growth or contraction phase?

2. Differentiation
Is there a differentiator with low wage countries or will your job be outsourced to somebody in Tazakstan or Estonia for a $1.50 an hour next year?

3. To use a surfing analogy, is there a big wave coming you can catch?
Like web advertising or web shopping, mp3 players and music downloads, or a wave of deregulation? Look for a change agent that will create opportunity.

For more information on career planning visit www.careerportalonline.com.